Our Staff

Lauren Blanchette, LICSW

Lauren is a licensed independent clinical social worker providing therapy to adults. Lauren completed her graduate training in social work with a focus on trauma and social justice. Lauren has training and interest in working with populations affected by relational trauma, as well as populations who have experienced religious and military trauma. She also has experience and interest in working with clients who are experiencing ADHD, anxiety, and life transitions. Lauren most commonly approaches therapy from a psychodynamic perspective and is trained as an Internal Family Systems Level 1 therapist, however she incorporates CBT, mindfulness, and solution focused therapy into her practice. Lauren seeks to connect with her clients as individuals, understanding the unique components of their lives and personal strengths to support them in reaching their goals.

Casey Culligan-Benoit, Psy.D

Casey is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides psychotherapy for adults. During her graduate training, Casey received a master's and doctorate in clinical psychology with an individualized concentration in multiculturalism and social justice within clinical practice. She helps clients address concerns related to anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, and various life transitions. She holds special interests and specialized training in working with emerging and young adults (18-35), and with the LGBTQIA+ community. Casey views therapy as a truly collaborative process, in which treatment is inherently relational, compassionate, and strengths-based. She works primarily from a relational psychodynamic framework that regularly incorporates elements of other approaches including CBT and MI as needed to best meet each individual client’s presentation and needs. In addition to clinical work, Casey serves as an affiliate professor at the graduate level.

Karen Gowell, LICSW

Karen is a licensed independent clinical social worker who provides individual therapy for children, teenagers, and adults of all genders. She has training, experience, and interest in the areas of women's health, trauma and PTSD, substance use disorders, relational issues, depression, and anxiety. Karen has five years of experience in primary care behavioral health, with a focus on chronic disease management and 15 years of experience in special education as a teacher and case manager working with students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and Autism. She has been trained in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and interpersonal psychotherapy. Karen uses a strengths-based perspective that is client-centered and solution-focused when working with clients to help meet their individual goals.

Camella Granara, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Camella sees adults for thorough initial consultations/evaluations. This allows her to holistically identify the root cause of symptoms allowing for an in-depth understanding of the needs of her clients. She provides options for comprehensive treatment plans that include prescribed medications, alternative treatments, and lifestyle changes. And she works with her clients over time to refine treatment so that they get solid results and improvement in symptoms. The types of problems that she may be able to help with include; high stress, adjusting to life changes, sleep problems, anxiety, trauma, panic, depression, mood swings, problems getting along with others, obsessions/compulsions, bipolar disorder, difficulty with concentration/focus, and more. Camella has been a registered nurse since 1995, and a board certified American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) family nurse practitioner (FNP-BC) since 2011. She has worked in mental health settings since 2021. Her work experience includes virtual/telehealth and clinic settings, including community health. She became an ANCC double board certified nurse practitioner in 2024 when she added her board certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) to her FNP-BC. Reach out today to get started working with Camella.

Jessica Nichols, MA, LCMHC

Jessie is a licensed clinical mental health counselor offering individual therapy to adults looking to address challenges related to depression, anxiety, sense of self, and traumatic experiences. She offers a compassionate, relational approach, influenced by positive psychology, holistic techniques, contemplative psychology, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Her passion is supporting people in better understanding themselves, strengthening their sense of self-worth, learning new ways of responding to difficult emotions, and connecting with more meaningful lives through making empowering transformations consistent with their personal goals.

Anna Marie Ruef, Ph.D

Anna is a clinical psychologist who provides individual therapy for children and adults. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and trauma related problems. She has provided therapy in various outpatient settings for over 20 years and has been at WCC since 2003. Anna also conducts research on emotions and trauma.

Erin R. Sandler, Psy.D

Erin is a clinical psychologist who provides psychotherapy for children, teenagers, and adults of all genders. She helps clients to address concerns related to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions. She also specializes in offering transgender and gender expansive-affirmative care. She uses a collaborative, culturally responsive approach with clients and centers the client as the expert of their own lived experience. She is a certified MATCH-ADTC therapist (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems), an evidence-based practice for children and teenagers ages 6-17. She also utilizes Child-Parent Psychotherapy, an evidence-based practice for children ages 0-6 who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences, to assist parents and caregivers in helping their young child to heal.

Stephanie Vazzano, LCMHC, ATR-BC, CST

Stephanie has more than a decade of mental health experience working with children, teens, and adults of all genders.  She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and a registered and board certified art therapist.  Stephanie has been trained in sexual assault survivor intervention, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, instinctual trauma response, dialectical behavior therapy, and is specialized in the areas of trauma, gender, sex, and sexuality. She is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist.  Her approach to treatment is client driven and goal directed with a holistic and global perspective. Stephanie is also registered as a telehealth provider for Vermont and licensed to provide services for clients in Massachusetts and Maine.

Melinda R. Wolfe, MS, APRN, PMHCNS-BC

Melinda has been proudly contributing to Womankind Counseling Center's mission and vision since 2012. She provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, diagnoses, medication evaluation & management, and supportive psychotherapy services to individuals and encourages a holistic approach toward a client's treatment, recovery, and wellbeing. Starting her nursing career in 1991, Melinda obtained her certification in mental health nursing from the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 1993. She went on to further her education earning her Master of Science degree in mental health nursing and became certified as an adult psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist in 1996 followed by licensing in New Hampshire as an APRN in mental health. Melinda has worked in the mental health community since 1991 caring for and treating adults with a range of mental health issues and draws upon her experience working in psychiatric in-patient settings and at a community mental health center that provided comprehensive services to individuals struggling with severe and persistent illness.